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Technology Stocks : Optimal Robotics Corp. (OPMR) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: J_W who wrote (158)	2/16/2000 5:54:00 PM
From: Thean	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 325

Jim, With the first pricing information of the NCR's unit, which is "starting at under $20,000 for an entry-level E-Series system." I think this will not provide much pricing competition for UScan since 4 Uscan stations is between 90 - 100k. I now look forward to a few review articles comparing the two after the Food Marketing Institute's MARKETECHNICS¸ 2000 event, February 20-22, in San Francisco. One of my speculations about why Walmart has not struck a deal with OPMR is because of their demand for better prices from OPMR through their scale leverage. Since OPMR cannot supply the quantity of UScan for a big order for Walmart up to this point, Walmart decided to wait till a second competitor steps in, e.g. NCR, or until OPMR can prove they can supply enough. From OPMR's perspective, it would be no good to commit to Walmart so early since by doing so they would telegraph to their present clients of the big discount they are willing to give in to Walmart and this may encourage prematured repricing or worse, defection. All these just my speculation. But since GKM's analysts read our thread, I would challenge them to dig into this to see if there is any truth to my speculation. With NCR officially stepping into the fray, I think we should see accelerated adoption of this technology nation wide. Both will be winners. But with only two de facto competitors in the field, I don't see a quick price war and margin erosion until the landscape further changes, e.g. a third or forth party stepping in and try to undercut the first two. OPMR's weakness the last two days is probably linked to this anticipated NCR announcement. However, now that the news is out, I think people will move on and begin to look at the positive side for OPMR. The sell volume the last two days are really tiny to raise any eyebrow. But with the anticipated insider sales to come in mid March, I don't see OPMR breaking above $38-40 short term. However, if the insiders decide to hold off their sales, then this could trigger a breakout. We shall find out by mid March.